Newswise — As the Occupy Wall Street protest movement gains momentum and recognition via mainstream media, Florida State University’s nationally regarded experts in communication and sociology are available to answer media questions and provide analysis. •Jeanette Castillo, assistant professor of digital media: (850) 644-8773 or (812) 272-3307; jlcastillo@fsu.eduCastillo researches the Internet and has been following the discussion of the Occupy Wall Street movement both on Facebook and on Twitter. She can comment on the difference between the current protests and progressive protests of the past, the fact that the movement is “spontaneous,” the connections made via social media among Tea Party activists and Occupy Wall Street movement participants, and social media’s role in gaining support from older generations. She can also comment on the perception among cyber-citizens that the media has largely ignored the movement: “The perception is widespread, if not universal among the cyber-citizens, that the media has largely ignored the movement, beyond a flurry of activity around the macing of some protestors. And yet the Twitterverse is rich with live reports and links to streaming video. In short, alternative media sources have stepped in to fill the void.” •Deana A. Rohlinger, associate professor of sociology: (850) 644-2493; drohling@fsu.eduRohlinger, who studies the sociology of mass media and collective behavior and social movements, can discuss the importance of the mainstream media in the potential success or failure of the Occupy Wall Street movement. She can also address what the movement means regarding the nation’s politics:

“The Occupy Wall Street movement is middle America's response to the Tea Party movement. Middle America is tired of rhetoric, political bickering, and carrying the burdens of corporate America. They want change. The problem is that what this change is and how it might occur is unclear.”